Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members,
We are excited to share an important development in our school's commitment to fostering the social and emotional growth of our students. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, we will be implementing the Character Strong Guidance Curriculum, a comprehensive program designed to enhance our students' character development, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
At its core, the Character Strong curriculum is built around the principles of fostering empathy, resilience, and responsible decision-making. It aims to equip our students with the skills necessary to navigate life's challenges while cultivating a positive school environment that promotes kindness, respect, and inclusivity.
**Why Character Strong?**
Research has shown that character development plays a critical role in shaping students into well-rounded individuals who can thrive academically and socially. The Character Strong program focuses on:
1. **Social-Emotional Learning**: Helping students understand and manage their emotions, set positive goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
2. **Civic Engagement**: Encouraging students to contribute positively to their communities, fostering a sense of responsibility and engagement in civic duties.
3. **Community Building**: Creating a supportive school culture where students feel safe, respected, and valued, which enhances their overall learning experience.
**What Can Parents Expect?**
Throughout the coming school year, students will engage in lessons and interactive activities that bring these concepts to life. Additionally, our curriculum includes resources for parents to help reinforce these positive character traits at home. We believe that a strong partnership between families and schools is essential for our students' success.
We recognize the importance of your role in this process, and we are excited to work together to empower our students with the character and life skills they need to succeed. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we embark on this promising new chapter in our school.
Warm regards,
Kortney Crosser
School Counselor
Eldora New-Providence Elementary
kcrosser@southhardin.org